The driver of a semitruck that caught fire and fell from Interstate 65 in downtown Louisville survived with minor injuries.
Louisville Fire Captain Donovan Sims confirmed that the driver was able to escape and sustained only minor injuries to lower extremities. Sims said there are reports the driver may have been able to jump from the cab of the semi. The driver was taken to the hospital and is expected to recover.
A MetroSafe supervisor confirmed a call about an accident came in at 10:14 a.m. Friday about the single vehicle crash on Interstate 65. TRIMARC cameras showed the truck hanging off the I-65 near Jefferson Street in flames. WDRB photojournalist Emily Evans captured video of the moment the truck fell from the interstate. It landed near I-64 and I-71 north, according to Sims.
A plume of black smoke rose from the crash scene under the interstate after the fire was extinguished by Louisville firefighters. Witnesses said they heard explosions around the time of the crash.
The Louisville Fire Department posted an image on social media of firefighters near the semi attacking flames under I-65 south near I-64. Sims said the department was able to get to the scene quickly. LFD received mutual aid from Jeffersonville Fire and EMS.
About 12:15 p.m., MetroSafe sent a LENS alert saying the I-65 North Ramp to I-64 West in Louisville reopened. Two lanes of I-65 south at I-65 opened about 1:30 p.m. Traffic remained very backed up on southbound I-65 through downtown and into southern Indiana for quite a while, but by 2 p.m., TRIMARC cameras showed traffic moving again.
The Louisville Metro Police Traffic Unit will lead the investigation into what happened.
Credit: WDRB-TV/Louisville
